10624 Highway 1: The Reuben Douglas Balcom House

Architecture Style: Gothic Revival

Built: about 1870

This house sits on an expanse of land once owned by the Balcom family, Massachusetts Planters who moved up from Granville. It was built by Reuben Douglas Balcom and his wife Mary, probably in 1868, and demonstrates all the charm of a true Gothic Revival house. This was surely Reuben and Mary’s dream home, but within seven years, both had died. Mary died of cancer at age 36, and Reuben, who had a tannery on the brook, died of pneumonia at age 44. They left three young children.

So Israel Manning Longley, Reuben’s sister’s son, bought the house in 1878. In 1880 he married  Planter descendant, Ermima Morse. Israel’s M.A. was to prepare him for ministry, but he had throat problems and instead taught school. He had a most successful career in education, as a teacher and principal of various schools, including Paradise, and as District Inspector of Schools in Guysborough.

Much has been given by the children of this house. Hilda Longley Doig taught school, and as a member of the Women’s Council of St. John, took a special interest in welcoming immigrants. Her son James was Principal of the Nova Scotia Land Survey Institute, later the College of Geographic Sciences.  Ewart served in World War II and became Supervisor of Dartmouth Schools. Edith married Neal, the son of Rev. H. Balcom of Paradise, and moved to New England. Dr.William H. Longley, director of the Marine Laboratory of the Carnegie Institute of Washington, was the first-ever to photograph marine life in its natural habitat. Harold served as a Major in World War I. Reginald stayed in the home and served the community as a volunteer for church and school. He could be seen in his specially outfitted “Chevy”, driving senior students to Lawrencetown.

When the house finally left the family, it was fortunate to be owned by Albert and Elizabeth Greenlaw. Albert did carpentry, Elizabeth ran a Bed and Breakfast, and one son, John, established the very successful Greenlaw Construction. This family treasured the house, as has the village over the years.